Multipurpose floor treating machine



Jime 15, 1954 w. PORTNOW 2,680,942 MULTIPURPOSE FLOOR TREATING MACHINE Filed June 27, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l Z "I Z6 74 INVEN TOR. WILLIA 1 oRTNow 5 -Shets- -She'et 2 W. PORINW IILTIPURPOSE FLOOR TREATING MACHINE June 15, 1954 Filed June 27, 1950 IN VEN TOR.

June 15, 1954 w. PORTNOW MULTIHPURLPOSE FLOOR TREATING MACHINE Fiied June 27, 1950 5 Sheets-"Sheet 3 w o y Ml? m w W% \m. n W E O M mm & NN Q Q g WP r Mn F I I A w% *M,

L RN H Um June 15; 1954 w. PORTNOW 2,680,942

IULTIPURPOSE FLOOR TREATING MACHINE Filed June 27, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. \MLLIAM 1 oR mow June 1954 w. PQRTNOW 2,680,942

MULTIPURPQSE FLOOR TREATING-MACHINE Filed June- 27, 1 50 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. WILLIAM POR'INOW Patented June 15,1954

UNITED STATS ATELNT OFFICE MULTIPURPOSE FLOOR TREATING MACHINE 9 Claims.

'I'hepresent invention relates to new and useful. improvements in a floor treating machine and, more particularly, to a single machine which can be used as a floor sander or waxer or as a vacuum cleaner.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my previous application Serial No. 55,853, filed October 22, 1948, now abandoned.

More specifically, the machine of the present invention is constructed to be light in weight to be easily transported from place to place by one man and to have a hollow body within which there is mounted a rotatable drum with means for mounting a sheet of abrasive material in position thereabout without the necessity of removing the drum from the body in a manner so that the machine can be used as a floor sander.

Another object of the present invention proposes a novel means for removably mounting the drum in position so that it can be removed therefrom without the use ofv any tools to have a polishing sleeve or the like engaged thereon so that the machine can be used asa floor waxer.

Still another object of the present invention proposes mounting a dust pan within the hollow body to the rear of the rotatable drum and which is connected by a tube to a vacuum box in a manher so that dust set up by, the drum when used for floor sanding will be collected by the dust pan and sucked into the vacuum box through the tube.

A further object proposes the provision'of a fan for creating a vacuum withinthe vacuum box for drawing the dust into that vacuum box and then to'discharge the dust into a suitable dust collecting bag mounted on the machine.

Still further, the present invention proposes constructing the machine so that the rotatable drum can be completely removed from the ma.- chine to expose the front end of the'tube which connects the dust pan with the vacuum box'in a manner so that the end of a conventional vacuum cleaner hose can be connected with that tube adapting the machine to be used'as a vacuum cleaner.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct a floor treating. machine which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the variousnovel features of the invention are more particularly set mm.

In the. accompanying drawings forming amaterial part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1. isa side elevational View of the floor treating machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged planview of the main portion of the machine of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional viewtaken on the line. 3-fii of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed view of a. portion of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectionalview taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6. is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 6--6lof Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional View taken substantially on the line 'l-i.of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a partial transverse vertical sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 8-4! ofFig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1%) is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional view taken on the line Iii-4B of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged partial horizonta1 sectional view taken on the line. I Ill of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken on the line !2l 2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13is an enlarged partial .plan view looking in the direction of the line l3--l 3 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line. Hl-M of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is. a perspective view of the rotatable drum removed. from the machine and with a polishing sleeve engaged in position thereon.

The floor treating machine, accordingtothe present invention, includes a hollow body 20 molded of any suitable metal and of substantially channel-shape to have a top wall 2!, depending side walls 22 and 23, a front Wall 24, a rear wall 25 and an open bottom. Positioned on the front Wall 24 there is a bumper 26. The bumper 26 is formed of, rubber and slipped upward into position onto the bottom edge of the front wall 2:; and is secured in position by several spaced rivets 21, one of which is shown in Fig. 3.

Rotatively positioned Within the body 25, adjacent the front end thereof, there is a drum 28 formed of any suitable light but hard Wood. The drum 28 is, of course, circular in cross-section and has its ends recessed. Within the recessed ends of the drum 28 there is concentrically mounted metallic plates 2e, see Figs. 5 and 15, which are secured in position by the usual wood screws 30. Projecting concentrically from the plates 29 there are bearing bosses 3| formed with square holes 32. A sheet of abrasive material 33(sandpaper or the like) is to be wrapped about the drum 28, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 9.

Novel means is provided for securing the abrasive material 33 in position about the drum 28. To accomplish this, the drum 28 is formed along one side thereof with a longitudinal slot 34 into which the ends of the sheet of abrasive material 33 are engaged, see Figs. 3 and 9. Slipped intoposition within the slot 3d, between the adjacent faces of the inturned ends of the sheet of abrasive material 33, there is a metal bar 35. The faces of the metal bar 35 are roughened, see Fig. 5, much the same as a file or rasp so as to have a grip on the surface of the sheet of abrasive material 33. Projecting longitudinally from the ends of the metal bar 35 and within the recessed ends of the drum 23, there are threaded studs 36, see Figs. 5 and 9, and upon which wing nuts 3! are threaded. The wing nuts 3'! are arranged to be tightened against the ends of the drum 28 within the recessed ends thereof so as to securely tighten the metal bar in position and retain the sheet of abrasive material 33 in position about the drum 28.

With the sheet of abrasive material 33 in position about the drum 2%, the machine is ready to be used as a conventional sander for scraping and smoothing the surface of a floor. However, with the sheet of abrasive material 33 and its holding parts completely removed from the drum 28, a polishing sleeve 38, see 15, can be slipped into position on the drum adapting the machine for use as a floor waxer. The polishing sleeve 38 is preferably formed of a durable cloth material and of a diameter to fit snugly and frictionally grip the surfaces of the drum and so frictionally retain its position thereon.

Means is provided for removably and rotatively mounting the drum 28 in position between the side walls 22 and 23. That mounting means comprises a trunnion 39 which is rotatively mounted through the side wall 23, see Fig. 5, and which is provided at its inner end with a square end portion 39 to be received within the square hole 32 of the adjacent plate 29 of the drum. The side wall 22, at the other end of the drum 2%, is formed with a separate wall portion 49 through which a second trunnion ii is rotatively mounted in end alignment with the tion 40 is pivoted to an open position, the detent 51 can be used for urging the pin against the action of the spring it to disengage its outer end from the respective hole M so as to free the wall portion :39 for complete removal, if desired.

The side edges of the side wall 22 adjacent the bottom of the wall portion 49 are formed with inwardly projected ledges 48, see Figs. 9, ll and 12, arranged to be received within complementary cutouts formed in the back face of the wall portion 40. The ledges 48 act to limit inward pivoting of the wall portion at.

Catches are provided along the bottom edge of the wall portion 48 for retaining the wall portion against outward pivoting. The catches are characterized by elongated metal pieces 49 slidably positioned in spaced end alignment within a groove 5% formed in the wall portion 39 and which opens to the front face thereof. The open front of the groove is closed by means of a metal plate 5| which is welded, brazed or in any other manner secured in position. Positioned within the groove 59 between the adjacent inner ends of the metal pieces 39, there i an expansion spring 52 which extends the metal pieces $9 to engage their beveled outer ends it into com-g plementary keeper recesses 53, see Fig. ll, formed in the adjacent edges of the side wall 22. The outer ends 43 of the metal pieces ii) are beveled in a direction to slip past the edges of the side wall 22 as the wall portion 455 is pivoted from an openedv to a closed position,

The inner ends of the metal pieces 49 are provided with right angularly extended finger pieces 54 which are projected through elongated slots 55 formed in the metal plate 5 l. The finger pieces 5 provide a grip by which the metal pieces 49 can be drawn inward against the action of the spring 52 so as to disengage their beveled outer ends til from the complementary keeper recesses 53 to free the wall portion 40 to be pivoted to an open position about the pins 42 and 43. In that open position of the wall it, the square inner end portion 41 of the trunnion ii will be withdrawn 1.; from the square hole 32 of the respective bearing first trunnion 39. The trunnion ll, at its inner end, is formed with a square end portion Al again see Fig. 5, received within the square hole 32 of the adjacent plate 29. Thus, when the trunnions 39 and 41 are rotated the drum 28 will be rotated.

The wall portion 40 is set into a suitable opening cut in the side wall 22 and means is provided for retaining the wall portion in position in which the square end portion il of the trunnion it will be retained in engagement with its respec- -1 tive bearing boss 3|. Extending laterally from the wall portion 40, adjacent the top edge thereof, there are pins 62 and 43 received in suitable holes 44 formed in the side wall 22 to pivotally retain the wall portion 43 in position. The pin 43, see particularly Fig. 10, is slidably received with a suitable hole 45 formed in the adjacent edge of the wall portion it. An expansion spring 45 is positioned within the hole 45 behind the pin 43 and urges the pin into an extended position in which its outer end will be engaged with the respective hole 44 of the side wall 22. A. detent 4'! projects radially from the pin 43 and passes through an elongated slot 48 formed in the inner face of the wall portion 40. When the wall porrotating the drum 2%.

boss 3| freeing the drum 23 to be completely removed from the machine.

A source of power in the form of an electric motor 56 is mounted on top of the body 28 directly over the drum 28 and with the drive shaft 5'! positioned parallel to the axis of the drum. A transmission means is interposed between the drive shaft 51 of the motor 56 and the trunnions 39 and ll for rotating the trunnions and in turn That transmission comprises bevel gears 53 secured to the outer portions of the trunnions 39 and ti adjacent the outer faces of the side wall 23 and the wall portion ll). The bevel gears 53 are enclosed within suitable housings 59 secured to the outer faces of the side wall 23 and the wall portion it by means of screws 60. Within the housings 59, there are bevel gears 61 which mesh with the bevel gears 58, as shown in Fig. 5. The bevel gears 6! are formed with stud shafts 62 which are rotatively extended through the top walls of the housings 59 and secured to the bottom ends of vertically extended flexible shafts $3.

The outer ends of the drive shaft 5: have secured thereto bevel gears 34 which are enclosed within housings 65 secured to the ends of the casing of the motor 56 by means of screws 66. The bevel gears es in turn mesh with bevel gears 67 located within the housings 55. The bevel gears i5! are formed with stud shafts 68 rotativeli thetrunnions 39-and 4| and cause the drum 29 tocbe rotated.

Extended upward and rearward from the body there is a handle 99 formedof a pair of upwardly converged handle-members I9, see Figs. 1,- 2, 6 and 13. members 70 are flattened and secured: to the side wallsg22 and 23-by-rivets .II. the .top ends of the handle members- 70 there is'a'grip member ll-secured in position by rivets 13, see Fig. 13. of the handlemembers 10 adjacent thegripniemberg12, there is a-box which encloses a switch, not-shown, having an operator stem IE-extended from the top of the box by which the switch can be-turned onand Anv'electric cable 16 extends into the'box, see Fig, 13, and is provided at its outerend vwith a plug 'I'a' of. conventional construction for insertion into a conventional electric outlet receptacle.- Within the box M, thecable I6 is connected-to theswitch and has an end portion It extended from the box to be connected to the motor 50- for supplying the required electric current for operating or energizing the motor 56; The manner in which the end portion E9 of the cable I6 is extended to the motor 56 is not shown as such details form no part of the present invention and are generally known by those skilled in the art to which the.

present invention pertains. The box I l is supported in position onthe handle members 79.

by several c-shaped clamps 19 engaged about the handle members 79 and securedto the sides of thebox M by rivets 80.

The rear portion of the body 29 is supported by a pair of side wheels 8| and a rear wheel 82.

The side wheelsgSI are positionedadjacent theside walls 22 and 23 and the rear wheel 82 is positioned against the rearywall 25 between the. side walls. The side wheels 8| are rotatively positioned on pins 83 extended between the depending side arms of inverted U-shaped bracketsBtextended over the tops of the side wheels BI. The

rear wheel 82 is likewise rotatively positioned on apin 85 extended between the depending side armsof an inverted U-"shaped bracket' tfivex-e tended over the top oi'that reariwheela, Thein verted U-shaped brackets 84 are fixed to the bottomends of the vertical bars 8! which are square in. cross section. A pin 38 pivotally attachesthe U-shaped bracket 86 to the bottom end of avertical bar 99 which is also square in cross section.

A Washer 99 is positioned on the pin tilbetween the adjacentfaces of the bracket 89 andthe bar 89 so that the rear wheel 82 is freeto pivot in .all directions about a vertical axisto function in the nature of a steering wheel forguiding-the machine as desired over floor surface.

Thebars 81 and B9 are slidably but non-rotatively extended through complementary square holes formed in the superimposed'arms oi -C- shaped brackets 9|. The C-shapedjbrackets. 9|

are fixedly secured tothe inner faces of theisidewalls .22 and 23 and the rear wall 25 ,bymeans of Integrally formed with and extended vertically upward-from-the top ends-ofrivets 92, see Fig. 3.

the bars 8i and 99, there are threaded stud shafts 99 received within internally threaded 1 tubular screw'members 94. The: top ends ofthescrew members are reducedand rotatively; extended through complementary; holes formed invthetop" The bottomendsof thehandle Extended across Positioned between the top ends e wallli ofrthezbodys. KnobseB'arefixeditortheton:= ends/cf itheztubular zscrewmemberszfll above :thes. top ;wall 21 .bygwhichthose tubular screwmembers: can .-be :turnedin .one direction; or the other. As 1 the. tubularscrew members94 are'turned inyonez direction orthe other, they will cause the bars --81 and 89 to be raised or lowered, dueto. the threaded connectionof-the studshafts 93 withgthe tubu- 1ar.screw,.memb.ers 94. That'willcause the vertical position of the wheels 8| and 82 to be adjusted-to control the pressure of the drum 28 on the floor surface;

Positioned behindithe drum -28,- there isean. arcuate dust pan 96,- see particularly Fig. 3. The: dust pan96 is extended the-full width of thespace between, the side walls 2i. and 23 and is secured thereto by right angular lugs 91 which extend from the ends. of the dust pan 96 along the-inner faces of the-sidewalls 22 and 23. They lugs 97 are secured to the side walls by means of. rivets 98.- The top edgeof thedust pan 96-,engages the-innerrfaceof the top wall 2| andthe bottom-edgeof thed-ust pan extends well below the-bottomedges of the side walls Hand, 23.. Thus the dust pan iunctions to catch all dust and other dirt-which is thrown upward and rearward by the drum 28-: during scraping and sanding of the floor surface.

Mounted within the: body ill-"between the dust pan-96 and the rearwall 25; there-is a hollow vacuum box 99. The vacuum box'99 has an open top closed by a wall I00 secured in position byscrews IllI. The vaccumbox 99 ismountediin position bypairs of brackets I02 extendedbetween the dust pan 96- and the front wall ofthe vacuum box-and theirear wall of theivacuum box; andthe rear wall-250i the.body-20.-

A,-.tube I03 connectsthe dust pan 96 with the vacuum box, 99, as shown .in' detail in Fig. 3. The Y tube I03yis integrally formed withor weldedto the. dust pan and has itsrear-end projected into a complementary hole formed inthe front wall of the vacuum box 99., A rubber-ring IEMsurrounds therearend of thetube- I03 and. is positioned between thevacuum box 99 and a flange I 053f01'll16d on the tube to-seal the point where the-tube I03 enters the vacuum, box 99. The tube I03 functions as a passageway-for the movement of a dust-air-mixture-fromthedustpan 96 into theinterior of-.-.the vacuum box.

One side of thevacuuinbox 99 is connected to anpexhaust fan assembly I09- and the-other side is-connected to-a diaphragm assembly I01, see particularly Fig; 6. 'Ihe'fan assembly I06 is-characterized by afan housing I08, see Figs. 6 and 7", BII'CIOSlDgfGr-IOtOI' 109 having a plurality of 'radiallyyprojected fan blades H0. Projected laterally outwardfromthe sideof the housing 108, there" is; a; tubular projection :1 I I I secured to the'insideface of the side wall-22 by rivets I I2. A stud shaft II3 is-rotatively" mounted through the side wall 22 andfis: provided at its, inner end with a" square: end portion H4 which extendsinto acomplementary concentric square hole 5 in the =sideof the'rotor; I09 for causing the'rotorto be rotated when the stud-shaft ll3iis'rotated; The means for rotating thestud-shaft II3 will hereinafter be described.

Projecting laterally from the 9 other side of the fan housing I03, there is a tubular: throat" iifi'formed'witha flange III positionedxagainst theouterface of the vacuum box 99 concentric with l a. discharge, opening; formed. in. the side. wall of the. vacuum box. Apiece ofcoarse metal screening I I8 extends across the discharge opening and is reinforced at its peripheral edges by a metal ring II9. Screws I are threadedly passed through the metal ring H9, the edges of the screening II8, the wall of the vacuum box and into the flange II'I securing those parts together as a unit.

The screening H8 is provided to permit the free passage of the dust-air mixture from within the vacuum box 99 into the fan assembly I96 and to prevent the free passage of larger articles; such as nails and the like, into the fan assembly with resulting damage to the fan blades IIB. Such large articles will drop downward within the vacuum box 99 and collect in a removable drawer I2I positioned in the bottom of the vacuum box 99. One side of the drawer I2I, see Fig. 6, is provided with a handle I22 by which the drawer can be removed to be emptied of its contents. The drawer I2I is made of a size to air tightly seal the bottom or" the vacuum box 99.

' One side of the fan housing I03 is formed with an upwardly extended discharge tube I23 formed at its top end with an outwardly directed flange I24, see Fig. 7. A discharge pipe I25 is mounted through the top wall 2| of the body 22' and is formed with a flange I26 at its bottom end aligned with the flange I24. Positioned between the flanges I24 and I26, there is a rubber sealing ring I2! and the pipe I25 is secured to the tube I23 by a plurality of screws I23 which are passed through the flanges I24 and I26.

Mounted between the handle members III below the box I4, there is a dust bag I25, see Figs. 1, 2 and 13. The dust bag I29 is made of rubberized cloth or other air impervious material to insure that no air-dust mixture will be discharged therefrom. At its bottom end, the bag I29 is engaged with several hooks I39 pivotally secured to clamps I3I mounted about the handle members I9, see Figs. 2 and 6. The top end of the bag I29 is engaged with hooks I32, see Fig. 13, mounted on springs I 33 in turn supported on lugs I34 which extend from the switch box I4. At its bottom, the dust bag I29 is formed with a tubular extension I35, see Figs. 1, 2 and 7, which has an internally threaded metal collar I35 clamped in position thereon.

The free end of the discharge pipe I25 is enlarged, see Fig. '7, and has the bottom end of a semi-rigid hose I38 extending thereinto. The bottom end of the hose I38 is formed with an outwardly directed flange I39 which abuts the free end of the discharge pipe I25. The exterior of the enlarged free end of the discharge pipe I25 is threaded. The internally threaded metal collar I36 is threaded onto the end of the discharge pipe I25 and against an outwardly directed flange I31 formed on the discharge pipe. Interiorly, the collar I36 is formed with an inwardly directed flange I49 which engages the flange I39 of the hose securely clamping the bottom end of the hose I38 in position within the enlarged end of the discharge pipe I25. When the collar I38 is unthreaded from the end of the discharge pipe I25 the bottom end of the hose I32 can be slipped out of the end of that discharge pipe.

The other end of the hose I38, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7 is projected upward along one side of the dust bag I29 and has its top end stopped short of the top end of the dust bag, as shown in Fig. 13. With this arrangement of the top end of the hose I38, the dust-air mixture discharging from that hose will impinge against the top end of the dust bag with considerable force causing the mixture to break up releasing the dust to fall down within the bag I29 and collect in the bottom thereof. When the collar I36 is unscrewed from the discharge pipe I25, the hose I38 can be pulled from within the bag I29 leaving the tubular extension I35 of the bag I29 unobstructed so that the dust within the bag can be shaken therefrom through that extension.

In the top corner opposite the corner in which the free end of the hose bag I29 is formed with an air discharge hole I42, see Figs. 13 and 14, across which there is extended a piece of air pervious but dust impervious cloth fllter material I43. The edge portions of the dust bag I29 surrounding the hole I42 and the filter material I43 are overlapped and clamped between metal rings I44 and I45 secured in position by nut and bolt assemblies I45. The nut and bolt assemblies I49 permit the metal rings I44 and I45 to be separated when desired for replacement of a fresh piece of filter material I43 when necessary. The filter material I43 functions to permit the free discharge of air from the dust bag while retaining the dust within the bag.

The end of the tube I93, which connects the dust pan 95 with the interior of the vacuum box 99, see Fig. 3, is formed internally at its front end with threads I41. When the drum 28 is removed from the machine, clearance is provided so that the end of a conventional flexible hose of the type used in hotels, theatres and other commercial institutions, which hose is not shown on the drawings, can be screwed into the end of that tube so that the machine can be used for vacuuming cleaning purposes. Extended upward from the top of the vacuum box 99, there is a length of pipe I28 which is projected upward through the top Wall 2| of the body 29 and has its top end normally closed by a cap I49 screw threaded onto the top of the pipe I48. The bottom end of the pipe I48 is formed with a flange I59 which surrounds a hole I5I formed in the top wall IIIII of the vacuum box 99. Positioned between the flange I50 and the top wall I99, there is a rubber sealing ring I52 and those parts are secured together by means of rivets I53.

When the cap I49 is removed from the top end of the pipe I48, the usual flexible hose, of smaller diameter than the flexible hose referred to in the paragraph next above and commonly used for vacuum cleaning purposes in the home, can be connected with that top end of the pipe permitting the machine to be used for vacuum cleaning in the home without the necessity of removing the drum 2B.

Positioned in the tube I93, there is a valve for closing the tube when the pipe I48 is being used for vacuum cleaning purposes. The valve is comprised of a valve housing I54, see Figs. 3 and 8. formed in the tube I39 intermediate of its ends and which has an open top. Slidably positioned within the valve housing I54 there is a valve plate I55, which has attached to the top end thereof a valve stem I56 formed of flexible metal. The stem I56 is extended freely upward through a tubular member I57 secured to the bottom face of the top Wall 2I of the body 29. The stem is then passed through a complementary hole formed in that top wall and is formed with a handle I58 at its top end by which the stem I can be raised or lowered to correspondingly raise the valve plate I55 to an inoperative position or to lower the valve plate to an operative position clos- I38 discharges, the dust other hand, when the notch itl engaged with the lug M9, the valve stem is in a lowered position and the valve plate is also lowered to an operative position.

A leaf spring let within the tubular member has one end riveted to the wall of the tubular member opposite the lug E51; and has-its other end engaged with the face or" thevalve stem I56 for holding the stem in. aposition in which either its notch or its notch WI is engaged with the lug IE9. i'he flexible materialof which the valve stem I is formed permits it to be flexed to disengage its notches from the lug I59 to free the valve stem to beeitherraised or lowered.

The diaphragm assembly I 3?, previously referred of a metal housing its having an inwardly directed throat portion It'd in turn formed =with-an outwardly directed flange I55 which surrounds a hole formed in the side wall of the vacuum box 99 on the side opposite the Extended across the latter hole there is a piece of dust-impervious filter material I66 permittingthe free passage of air but stopping the passage-of dust. The edges of the filter material I68 are reinforced by a metal ring I 57 through which screws I68 pass to in turn pass through the filter material I 66, the wall of the vacuum box a and the flange I55 so as to secure those parts together as a unit.

The side of the diaphragm housing its opposite the vacuum box 99 is closed by a wall. Within the housing I63 there is a diaphragm comprised of a rubber ring Ill] across which a thin sheet of rubber material ill is stretched. The sheet ofrubber material Ill is formed with a small hole I72 (about one-eighth inch in diameter), see Fig. 6'.

The diaphragm is positioned between the throat side of the housing l t3 and a circular flange I 63* Within the housing. The flange IE3 functions to hold the diaphragm spaced from the wall which closes the side of the housing I53 remote from the vacuum box as. The periphery of the housing I53 between the flange les and the closing wall is formed with a plurality of holes its connecting the interior of the housing with the-outside atmosphere.

The diaphragm assembly Illl functions to break the initial force of the vacuum within the vacuum box 9Q when the fan assembly is started and to maintain a constant vacuum of great force within the vacuum box 99. When the fan is started, the sheet of rubber material III is bellied inward stretching or increasing the size of the hole H2 permitting the free passage of air into the vacuum box through the tube H33 and asimultaneous discharge of air from the vacuum box199 through the enlarged hole 172 of the sheet'of rubber material I! I.

The trunnions 39 and tl having their outer ends projected through enlarged holes I73. formed in the. outer walls of the housings 59 and beyond those outer walls, the projected ends of the trunnions are formed with square end portionsta and M Edge sanding wheels I id, only one of which isshown in Figs. 2 and 5, are formed with conto and as illustrated in Fig. 6, is comprised fan. assembly its, i

iii centric square holes into which the square end portions 39 and ii of the trunnions te and AI can be received for non-rotatively. mounting the sanding wheelsin position on those trunnions. Washers having square holes are positioned on the square end portions 3t against which the inner aces of the sanding wheels I14 are engaged. The sanding wheels ii are removably retained in position by screws I'IS received within recesses ill formed in the outer faces of the sanding wheels i7 3 and threaded into complementary threaded holes formed in the outends the square end portions 39 and ll of the trunnions and ll. Either one or both of the sanding wheels Ild can be mounted on the square end portions 3t and lI of the trunnions 853 and-ii and provide a convenient means for sanding the edge portions of the floor surface adjacent the side wall base boards which cannot be reached by the drum 28.

Located on the machine on one side ofthe vacuum box 88, there is an auxiliary driveito which the flexible shafts of small power operated tools can be attached to be driven from the motor The auxiliary drive is characterized by a vertical shaft HS, see Figs. 3 and. 6, which adjacent its bottom end. is rotatively extended through a bearing bracket i1 9 secureclto the inner face of the side wall v23 of the .bodyZO. Mounted on the vertical shaft H8, above and below the bracket i'Ifi, there are collars I which secure against any vertical movement while leating it free to rotate. The top end of vertical shaft H8 is rotatively extended through a bearing IdI secured to the inner face of the top wall 2| and then through. a complementary hole formed in that top wall 2|. Above the top Wall 2i, the top end of the vertical shaft I7?) is formed with a square .top portion I 82. to which the end of a flexibleshaft, not shown,. ofa power operated hand tool, not shown, can be secured in any desired manner. Tools of. a type which can be operated from the square topend portion I82 of the auxiliary .drive might include a. grind stone for sharpening cutting tools,v a buffer for polishing: furniture, bar topsand the like, or any similar. small tools.

The top face of thetop wall 2i is formed-with an upwardly extended shallow wall I83 .which concentrically surrounds the top end of the vertical shaft 978 and which is internally threaded. A cap I84 is slippedinto position over thetop end of the shaft I iii and has itsbottom end threaded into the wall I83 for enclosing the. rotatingtop end of the shaft H8 when it v.is not bein used. The top of the cap I84 is formed with external knurling E85 by which .a gripcan be had on the cap for turnin it in one direction or theother.

The bottom end of the vertical shaft. l'l8.is provided with a bevel gear I86 which in turn meshes with a complementary bevel gear I81.

ends of the stud shafts lit and i88. Thebevel ears I89 are enclosed within housings I90 .secured to the outer faces ofthe sidewalls Hand 23 by. means of screws IQI. .Withinthe housings we to transmit rotations of the i1 gears l92, shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 6, which mesh with the bevel gears ESQ. The bevel gears its having stud shafts E93 rotatively extended through the front walls of the housings 599 and secured to the rear ends of flexible shafts 94.

Within the housings 59, see Fig. 9, there are bevel gears 19%: which mesh with the bevel gears 58 and which bevel gears 595 have stud shafts I95 rotatively extended through the rear walls of the housings 59. The stud shafts 1% are connected to the front ends of the flexible shafts bevel gears 58 to the fan assembly I95 and the auxiliary drive shaft H8.

The use of the flexible shafts B3 and [94 permits free pivotal movement of the wall portion GE about the pins 42 and 43 for releasing thev drum 28 without any disconnection of the transmissions from the motor 56. the operation of the machine will be clear from the foregoing description of the machine without the need to resorting to a detailed expla nation of the operation.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

i. In a floor treating machine having an open bottomed hollow body enclosing a rotatively supported sanding drum behind which a dust pan is located for collecting dust thrown rearward by the drum and a fan for blowing collected dust into a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted within the body to the rear of the dust pan and including a front wall and spaced side walls, the fan being mounted within the body adjacent one of the side walls of the vacuum box, a throat extending from the fan and connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said one side wall, a tube extended rearward from the dust pan and extended to the interior of said vacuum box through said front wall and sub- Hi), there are bevel stantially midway of the sides thereof, and a i diaphragm assembly within the hollow body and spaced slightly from the other side wall of said vacuum box and including a throat portion connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said other side wall, said diaphragm assembly comprising a housing having spaced end walls, said throat portion being integrally formed with the one end wall adjacent said vacuum box, a flange having a concentric opening positioned within said housing between said end walls, and a diaphragm within said housing in the space between said flange and said one end wall, said housing having holes connecting the space between said flange and the other end wall with the atmosphere.

2. In a floor treating machine having an open bottomed hollow body enclosing a rotatively supported sanding drum behind which a dust pan is located for collecting dust thrown rearward by the drum and a fan for blowing collected dust into a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted within the body to the rear of the dust pan and including a front wall and spaced side walls, the fan being mounted within the body adjacent one of the side walls of the vacuum box, a throat ex- It is thought that tending from the fan and connected with the in terior of said vacuum box through the said one side wall, a tube extended rearward from the dust pan and extended to the interior of said vacuum box through said front wall and substantially midway of the sides thereof, and a diaphragm assembly within the hollow body and spaced slightly from the other side wall of said vacuum box and including a throat portion connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said other side wall, said diaphragm assembly comprising a housing having spaced end walls, said throat portion being integrally formed with the one end wall adjacent said vacuum box a flange having a concentric opening positioned within said housing between said end walls, and adiaphragm within said housing in the space between said flange and said one end wall, said housing having holes connecting the space between said flange and the other end wall with the atmosphere, said diaphragm comprising a rubber ring within said housing in the space between said flange and the said one end wall, and a thin sheet of rubber material mounted across said rubber ring, said thin sheet of rubber material having a small hole concentric with said throat portion. 7

3. In a floor treating machine having an open bottomed hollow body enclosing a rotatively supported sanding drum behind which a dust pan is located for collecting dust thrown rearward by the drum and a fan for blowing collected dust into a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted within the body to the rear of the dust pan and including a front wall and spaced side walls, the fan being mounted within the body adjacent one of the side walls of the vacuum box, a throat extending from the fan and connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said one side wall, a tube extended rearward from the dust pan and extended to the interior of said vacuum box through said front wall and substantially midway of the sides thereof, and a diaphragm assembly within the hollow body and spaced slightly from the other side wall of said vacuum box and including a throat portion connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said other side wall, said diaphragm assembly comprising a housing having spaced end walls, said throat portion being integrally formed with the one end wall adjacent said vacuum box, a flange having a concentric opening positioned within said housing between said end walls, and a diaphragm within said housing in the space between said flange and said one end wall, said housing having holes connecting the space between said flange and the other end wall with the atmosphere, said diaphragm comprising a rubber ring within said housing in the space between said fiange and the said one end wall, and a thin sheet of rubber material mounted across said rubber ring, said thin sheet of rubber material having a small hole concentric with said throat portion, and filter material stretched across said throat portion at its point of connection with the said other side wall.

4. In a floor treating machine having an open bottomed hollow body enclosing a fan for blowing collected dust into a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted within the body and including a front wall and spaced side walls, the fan being mounted within the body adjacent one of the side walls of the vacuum box, a throat extending from the fan and connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said one side wall,ra

tube extended to the interiorof said vacuum-box teriorof saidvacuumbox through the said other side wall, a --pipe-extended upward from said vacuum "box formingasecond entrance port to said vacuum -box,-acap closingthe top endoi' said" pipe and being removable so that a flexible hose can-be connected with-that top endior vacuum cleaning purposes, and a valve for closing said tube when said pipe is being used.

' 5.In' a-'fioor treating machine having an open bottomed hollowbody enclosing a fan for blowing collected dust into a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted within the body and including a front wall and spaced side wails, the fan being mounted within the-body adjacent one of the side walls "of the vacuum -box,-a throat extending from the fan and connected ---with the --i-nterio'r of said vacuum boxthrough the said-one side wall, a

" tube extended-t the interior of said vacuum-box through said front wall and substantially midway or the sides thereof forming an entrance port to said vacuum box, a diaphragm assembly within the hollow body and spaced slightly from the other side wall of said vacuum box and including a throat portion connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said other side wall, a pipe extended upward from said vacuum box forming a second entrance port to said vacuum box, a cap closing the top end of said pipe and being removable so that a flexible hose can be connected with that top end for vacuum cleaning purposes, and a valve for closing said tube when said pipe is being used, said valve comprising a valve housing formed in said tube intermediate of its ends and having an open top, a valve plate slidably positioned in said valve housing, and means for holding said valve plate in a raised or lowered position in said valve housing.

6. In a floor treating machine having an open bottomed hollow body enclosing a fan for blowing collected dust into a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted within the body and including a front wall and spaced side walls, the fan being mounted within the body adjacent one of the side walls of the vacuum box, a throat extending from the fan and connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said one side wall, a tube extended to the interior of said vacuum box through said front wall and substantially midway :3,

of the sides thereof forming an entrance port to said vacuum box, a diaphragm assembly within the hollow body and spaced slightly from the other side wall of said vacuum box and including a throat portion connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said other side wall, a pipe extended upward from said vacuum box forming a second entrance port to said vacuum box, a cap closing the top end of said pipe and being removable so that a flexible hose can be connected with that top end for vacuum cleaning purposes, and a valve for closing said tube when said pipe is being used, said valve comprising a valve housing formed in said tube intermediate of its ends and having an open top, a valve plate slidably positioned in said valve housing, and means for holding said valve plate in a raised or lowered position in said valve housing, said holding means comprising a tubular member mounted within the hollow body above said valve housing,

bottomed hollow body ported sanding drum behind whicha dust panis said valve plate having'a portion projected from the open top of said valve housing, a flexible valve stem projected freely through said'tubularmember and having its bottom end secured-to theprojectingtop portion of said valve plate, so constructed-and arranged that said valve will "*be raised or lowered-as said valve-stem israisedor lowered relative to said tubulanmember.

7. Ina floor treating machine having an open enclosing a rotatively suplocated'for collecting dust thrown rearward'by the drum and-a fanfor blowing collected dust into-a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted Within'the body to the rear of the dust pan and includinga front wall and spaced side walls, the fan being mounted within the body adjacent one of theside walls of thevacuun'r box, a throat extending from the fan and connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said one side wall, -a

- tube extended rearward from the dust pan-and a throat-portion connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said other side wall, screening material extended across the entrance of the throat leading from said vacuum box to the fan permitting the free discharge of a dust-air mixture from said vacuum box to the fan, and a drawer in the bottom of said vacuum box for collecting larger articles which enter said vacuum box and which cannot pass through said screen material.

8. In a floor treating machine having an open bottomed hollow body enclosing a rotatively supported sanding drum behind which a dust pan is located for collecting dust thrown rearward by the drum and a fan for blowing collected dust into a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted within the body to the rear of the dust pan and including a front wall and spaced side walls, the fan being mounted within the body adjacent one of the side walls of the vacuum box, a throat extending from the fan and connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said one side wall, a tube extended rearward from the dust pan and extended to the interior of said vacuum box through said front wall and substantially midway of the sides thereof, a diaphragm assembly within the hollow body and spaced slightly from the other side wall of said vacuum box and including a throat portion connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said other side wall, screening material extended across the entrance of the throat leading from said vacuum box to the fan permitting the free discharge of a dust-air mixture from said vacuum box to the fan, and a drawer in the bottom of said vacuum box for collecting larger articles which enter said vacuum box and which cannot pass through said screen material, said vacuum box having an opening in the bottom of thereof through which said drawer can be removed to be emptied.

9. In a floor treating machine having an open bottomed hollow body enclosing a rotatively supported sanding drum behind which a dust pan is located for collecting dust thrown rearward by the drum and a fan for blowing collected dust into a dust bag, a vacuum box mounted within the body to the rear of the dust pan and including a front wall and spaced side walls, the fan being mounted within the body adjacent one of 15 the side walls of the vacuum box, a throat extending from the fan and connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said one side wall, a tube extended rearward from the dust pan and extended to the interior of said vacuum box through said front wall and substantially midway of the sides thereof, a diaphragm assembly within the hollow body and spaced slightly from the other side wall of said vacuum box and including a throat portion connected with the interior of said vacuum box through the said other side wall, screening material extended across the entrance of the throat leading from said vacuum box to the fan permitting the free discharge of a dust-air mixture from said vacuum box to the fan, a drawer in the bottom of said vacuum box for collecting larger articles which enter said vacuum box and which cannot pass through said screen material, and filter material stretched across said throat portion leading to said diaphragm assembly so that air only will pass through said throat portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 8,555 Dunham Jan. 28, 1879 Number 16 Name Date Mohr Mar. 2, 1909 Noe Apr. 20, 1909 Squirer June 21, 1910 Uppercue Jan. 28, 1913 Skinner May 30, 1916 Mitchell Aug. 1, 1916 Kelley Oct. 23, 1917 Beal Nov. 1, 1921 Ford Jan. 10, 1922 Jacquith Nov. 17, 1925 Orr Mar. 16, 1926 Schimmelpfennig Mar. 1, 1927 Blanchard et al. Oct. 4, 1927 Serva et al June 5, 1928 Stolpe June 17, 1930 Werdrich Apr. 18, 1933 Darling Aug. 22, 1933 Kessler Feb. 5, 1935 Okun May 31, 1938 Kerr et a1 May 31, 1938 Dow May 2, 1939 King Aug. 15, 1939 Replogle Oct. 10, 1939 Harris May 1, 1945 Harris Nov. 23, 1948 

